Western Australia is a coastal area of Australia on the Indian Ocean, with 59 tracked beaches. The sea here ranges from about 15°C in the coolest month to 22°C at the summer peak, with roughly 5 months a year sitting above 20°C — the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit. Use the beach list below to check the current sea temperature at each spot before you head out.
Western Australia
59 tracked beaches in Western Australia, Australia, with live Indian Ocean temperatures.
Sea
Indian Ocean
Avg sea temp now
19.0°C
Best months
November – March
Best time to swim in Western Australia
The sea in Western Australia peaks in February, when the water averages around 23°C.
The main swimming season runs from October – May, when surface temperatures stay comfortable for extended sessions.
On average, 8 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Shoulder months like September and June are noticeably cooler but often quieter, with fewer crowds and steadier weather.
The coldest month is typically July at around 18°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.
Western Australia sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so the warmest sea coincides with the December–February summer and the coolest with July–August.
Western Australia sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Western Australia shows an annual mean sea temperature of 20°C, ranging from 18°C in winter to 23°C at the summer peak.
The seasonal swing is roughly 5°C between the coldest and warmest month — a useful yardstick when comparing years or checking whether the current sea is running above or below average.
Recent decades have trended slightly warmer at Western Australia, in line with regional sea-surface temperature records for the wider basin.
Monthly averages below are drawn from multi-decadal climatology and are updated as new observations arrive.
Jan
22°C
Feb
23°C
Mar
22°C
Apr
21°C
May
20°C
Jun
19°C
Jul
18°C
Aug
18°C
Sep
19°C
Oct
20°C
Nov
21°C
Dec
22°C
Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.
Western Australia sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Western Australia?
February is the warmest month in Western Australia, when the sea averages about 23°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Western Australia?
The coldest month in Western Australia is typically July, when the water averages around 18°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Western Australia without a wetsuit?
The main swimming season in Western Australia runs from October – May — about 8 months a year when the sea sits above 20°C, the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do I need a wetsuit in Western Australia?
Outside peak summer the water in Western Australia drops toward 18°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable. In peak months most swimmers go without.
What is the average sea temperature in Western Australia?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Western Australia is about 20°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Western Australia?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Western Australia, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.
Beaches in the Western Australia
Ranked by current live sea temperature.
- 1Mullaloo BeachPerth, Australia19.7°C
- 2Elephant RocksDenmark, Australia19.7°C
- 3Bunker BayDunsborough, Australia19.6°C
- 4Osprey BayExmouth, Australia19.6°C
- 5Smiths Beach WAYallingup, Australia19.6°C
- 6Burns Beach WAPerth, Australia19.5°C
- 7Yanchep BeachYanchep, Australia19.5°C
- 8Cervantes BeachCervantes, Australia19.5°C
- 9Town Beach BroomeBroome, Australia19.5°C
- 10Eagle BayDunsborough, Australia19.5°C
- 11Salmon Beach EsperanceEsperance, Australia19.5°C
- 12Twilight BeachEsperance, Australia19.4°C
- 13Sorrento Beach WAPerth, Australia19.4°C
- 14Cottesloe BeachPerth, Australia19.3°C
- 15Scarborough BeachPerth, Australia19.3°C
- 16Coral Bay BeachCoral Bay, Australia19.3°C
- 17West Beach EsperanceEsperance, Australia19.3°C
- 18Sorrento Beach PerthPerth, Australia19.2°C
- 19Meelup BeachDunsborough, Australia19.2°C
- 20Mindarie BeachPerth, Australia19.2°C
- 21Jurien BayJurien Bay, Australia19.2°C
- 22Lakeside NingalooExmouth, Australia19.2°C
- 23Blue Haven BeachEsperance, Australia19.2°C
- 24City BeachPerth, Australia19.1°C
- 25Rockingham BeachRockingham, Australia19.1°C
- 26Misery BeachAlbany, Australia19.1°C
- 27Eagle BayDunsborough, Australia19.1°C
- 28Basil BayRottnest Island, Australia19.1°C
- 29The BasinRottnest Island, Australia19.1°C
- 30Hellfire BayEsperance, Australia19.1°C
- 31Penguin IslandRockingham, Australia19.0°C
- 32Middleton BeachAlbany, Australia19.0°C
- 33Smiths BeachYallingup, Australia19.0°C
- 34Yallingup BeachYallingup, Australia19.0°C
- 35Gnarabup BeachMargaret River, Australia19.0°C
- 36Hamelin BayAugusta, Australia19.0°C
- 37Mandurah Town BeachMandurah, Australia18.9°C
- 38Little Salmon BayRottnest Island, Australia18.9°C
- 39Pinky BeachRottnest Island, Australia18.9°C
- 40Lucky BayEsperance, Australia18.8°C
- 41Meelup BeachDunsborough, Australia18.8°C
- 42Injidup BeachYallingup, Australia18.8°C
- 43Thistle CoveEsperance, Australia18.8°C
- 44Hillarys BeachPerth, Australia18.7°C
- 45Sandy Bay ExmouthExmouth, Australia18.7°C
- 46Greens PoolDenmark, Australia18.6°C
- 47Prevelly BeachMargaret River, Australia18.6°C
- 48Turquoise BayExmouth, Australia18.6°C
- 49Kalbarri BeachKalbarri, Australia18.6°C
- 50Reddell BeachBroome, Australia18.6°C
- 51Cosy Corner WATorbay, Australia18.6°C
- 52Frenchman Bay AlbanyAlbany, Australia18.6°C
- 53Floreat BeachPerth, Australia18.5°C
- 54Emu Point BeachAlbany, Australia18.5°C
- 55Trigg BeachPerth, Australia18.4°C
- 56Mettams PoolPerth, Australia18.4°C
- 57Lancelin BeachLancelin, Australia18.4°C
- 58Redgate BeachWitchcliffe, Australia18.4°C
- 59Cable BeachBroome, Australia18.3°C
Swimming in the Western Australia — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Western Australia in September?
The Indian Ocean off the Western Australia averages about 19.0°C in September, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.
When is the best time to swim in the Western Australia?
The Western Australia is warmest in February (around 23.0°C) and coldest in July (around 18.0°C). There are typically 4 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.
What is the average yearly sea temperature in the Western Australia?
Across all twelve months, the sea in the Western Australia averages about 20.4°C.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in the Western Australia?
In peak season (around February, ~23.0°C) most swimmers are comfortable without a wetsuit. Outside summer, when the water drops toward 18.0°C, a 3/2mm to 5/4mm wetsuit is recommended.